A Campaign for Daily Mass

Our days are filled with countless activities. Work, family, recreation, appointments are of different levels of urgency. Some we can identify some as true labors of love. Parents care for children. Sons and daughters look after elderly parents, relatives or neighbors. Our jobs and charitable works make valuable contributions to society and our culture.
           
As we examine our daily routine, what should be the most important moment of our life each and every day? We, believing Catholics, can say with certainty that the most important reality in which we participate is the Mass.  “Why so, Bishop?,” you might ask.  Let’s look at what the Church says about this. 
           
The Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it this way, “The Eucharist is the heart and the summit of the Church’s life, for in it Christ associates his Church and all her members with his sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving offered once for all on the cross to the Father; by this sacrifice he pours out the graces of salvation on His Body which is the Church” (# 1407).
           
Now, you might say, “Really, Bishop, do you mean to tell me that going to Mass is the most important appointment of the day? Every day? Come on!”
           
My reply to you is, “Absolutely! That is what I mean to tell you.  I stake my life on it!”
           
Allow me to explain why. When we come to Mass, we do not come only to a “service of worship” or to a series of hymns and prayers, as inspiring and beautiful as they may be. The Mass is a true encounter with Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a living “memorial” of Jesus, who makes Himself present. It is not a memorial or a remembering that we may do by calling to mind people, events or images from the past who are not really present to us. The Mass as the memorial of Our Lord by the outpouring of the love of the Trinity makes Him present living and dynamically loving each and every one of us. At Mass bread and wine become the very Body and Blood of Christ.
           
When we come to Mass, the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary is made present on the altar. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “The Mass is at the same time, and inseparably, the sacrificial memorial in which the sacrifice of Calvary is perpetuated…” (# 1382). Because God is not bound by time or space, the very Sacrifice of Jesus is made present on the altar. This is the sacrifice that redeems us and gives us God’s life. It is the tremendous deed of love and act of mercy that tells us who we are and to whom we belong. Participating in Mass brings us to the very source and summit of the Church’s life by bringing us to Christ, who is both Priest and Victim.  He offers Himself to the Father in sacrifice and then offers Himself to us.
           
The Mass is the wedding banquet of the Lamb of God, Jesus Himself, at which He, the Divine Bridegroom, feeds us with His own Body and Blood. The Catechism affirms, “The Mass is at the same time, and inseparably, the sacrificial memorial in which the sacrifice of the cross is perpetuated and the sacred banquet of communion with the Lord’s body and blood” (#1382). This means that when we come to Mass we receive Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. We know that the Eucharist is not a symbol of Jesus Christ. We know that it does not just remind of what He did on that first Holy Thursday evening. We believe with our whole heart that the Holy Eucharist is truly Jesus Christ, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. This is reason enough to come to Mass every day.
           
Someone might say, “Well, yes, Bishop, but those are only theological ideas.  They  really don’t have anything to do with my very busy life!”
           
Really? Consider this. These “ideas” are what the Church has taught under the influence of the Holy Spirit from the beginning. The truth of the Mass can be talked about in terms of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion.

• Presence: The Mass makes Jesus really present. Bread and wine become Jesus Himself, Body, Blood Soul and Divinity. Who of us doesn’t the need the Presence of the One who loves us more than we can imagine?
• Sacrifice: The Mass is truly His Sacrifice of the Cross. The Mass is the gateway into the Paschal Mystery of His Passion, Death and Resurrection. Who doesn’t need to make sense of the sacrifices and the crosses of our lives by uniting them with the Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus that redeems us all?
• Communion: The Mass gives us Jesus Christ Himself when we come forth to receive Him in the Holy Eucharist.  It is the powerful and intimate union with Him this side of heaven.  Who doesn’t need to be united with God?  Who doesn’t need to know intimately the Lord to Whom we belong?

Is the Mass the most important appointment and encounter in our lives?  You better believe it is!!!
           
Here in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we are beginning a campaign to encourage every Catholic to come to Mass every day, or as often as possible. Yes, you heard it right—every day. The campaign will begin on the 15th of October, the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila. So check the daily Mass times in parishes in your area and make the appointment that will change your life in this world and prepare you for eternity.

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh